4-Year Baccalaureate Majors

Majors by Area of Interest

Advertising & Public Relations (ADPR_BA)

Advertising/Public Relations (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park; Strategic Communications Option-Start and Finish at World Campus)

This major is designed to provide a balance of theory, research, and practice. The course sequence provides professional skills courses in conjunction with applied theory and critical evaluative courses. Students develop an understanding of the role and effect of advertising and public relations within the business, social, and political arenas. Students develop abilities and skills that prepare them for a wide range of professional opportunities that include media planning and relations, research, and client services. Analytical abilities are equally stressed throughout the curriculum. Critical thinking skills, creative problem solving, and the need to justify decisions are developed. Theory and practice from a wide range of disciplines, including business, behavioral sciences, and applied statistics are used to equip the students to make informed decisions in a dynamic environment.

The three program options include: the Advertising Option, the Public Relations Option, and the Strategic Communications Option (World Campus only).(College of Communications)

Communication (COMBA_BA)

Communication (Start at any Campus and Finish: Behrend)

The B.A. major in Communication offers a liberal arts background with emphasis in mass media studies and corporate communication. It helps students prepare for careers in corporate communication, print and broadcast journalism, multimedia and video production, and advertising/public relations by providing an interdisciplinary study of spoken, written, visual, and technically mediated messages.(The Behrend College)

Communication Arts and Sciences B.A. (CASUC_BA)

Communication Arts and Sciences (Start at any Campus and Finish: Brandywine, York)

This major provides increased understanding and practice in the ways humans use symbols to influence people and the world around them. The ability to communicate effectively with others in personal, social, work, and multicultural situations is essential in modern society. A student of Communication Arts and Sciences will learn to think critically, analyze and solve problems, understand and manage conflict, argue persuasively, influence people, form and keep relationships, give effective presentations, and participate in the civic and political life of a community. The flexibility of the program offers preparation for a variety of careers such as administration, law, business, health, and human services fields. A degree in Communication Arts and Sciences also lends itself well to a concurrent degree program in which students prepare themselves in several fields of study.(University College)

Communication Arts and Sciences B.A. (CASBK_BA)

Communication Arts and Sciences (Start at any Campus and Finish: Berks)

This major provides increased understanding and practice in the ways humans use symbols to influence people and the world around them. The ability to communicate effectively with others in personal, social, work, and multicultural situations is essential in modern society. A student of Communication Arts and Sciences will learn to think critically, analyze and solve problems, understand and manage conflict, argue persuasively, influence people, form and keep relationships, give effective presentations, and participate in the civic and political life of a community. The flexibility of the program offers preparation for a variety of careers such as administration, law, business, health, and human services fields. A degree in Communication Arts and Sciences also lends itself well to a concurrent degree program in which students prepare themselves in several fields of study.(Berks College)

Communication Arts and Sciences B.A. (CAS_BA)

Communication Arts and Sciences (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

From a department that spans the humanities and social sciences, CAS majors learn to think critically, analyze public discourse, conduct empirical studies to test communication theories, argue persuasively, influence people, form and keep relationships, and participate in the civic life of a community. CAS courses prepare students to thrive in an increasingly message-rich and interconnected world. The CAS major is not designed as training programs in advertising, journalism, public relations, or mass media production. An undergraduate degree in CAS equips students for careers in public affairs, sales, social science research, advocacy, market analysis, and human resources, as well as for advanced professional or graduate study.(College of the Liberal Arts)

Communication Arts and Sciences B.S. (CASBS_BS)

Communication Arts and Sciences B.S. (Start at Any Campus and Finish at University Park) This major provides increased understanding and practice in the ways humans use symbols to influence people and the world around them. The ability to communicate effectively with others in personal, social, work and multicultural situations is essential in modern society. A student of Communication Arts and Sciences will learn to think critically, analyze and solve problems, understand and manage conflict, argue persuasively, influence people, form and keep relationships, give effective presentations, and participate in the civic and political life of a community. The flexibility of the program offers preparation for a variety of careers such as administration, law, business, health, and human services fields. A CAS degree also lends itself well to a concurrent degree program in which students prpeare themselves in several fields of study. (College of the Liberal Arts)

Communications (COMUC_BA)

Communications (Start at any Campus and Finish: Beaver, Brandywine, Greater Allegheny, New Kensington)

With the rapid development of digital technologies over the last decade, the field of communications has seen unprecedented growth and convergence of medium in media both technologically and structurally. The Communications degree program addresses strongly articulated employer requirements for the workplace through an integrated program model. The degree provides the basic theoretical foundations of the discipline, allows for appropriate branching outside the traditional curriculum, and permits a drawing from appropriate courses in the disciplines of information sciences and technology, communications, and arts and sciences, English and business. The degree in Communications provides two options, Corporate Communications and Journalism, for students who wish to develop their written and verbal skills in an effort to gain professional employment in fields such as public relations, publishing, speech writing, video and multimedia, production, and/or journalism. Options vary by campus.(University College)

Communications (COMAL_BA)

Communications (Start at any Campus and Finish: Altoona)

The major provides a general grounding in traditional media forms along with work in the area of media convergence. Students do course work at both the practical and theoretical level. On the theory side, course work will be offered in the areas of media criticism and theory, visual communications, and media history at the introductory and advanced levels. On the applied side, course work will be offered in video and audio production, news writing and photojournalism, radio and television studio production, and public relations and advertising at the introductory and advanced levels. Students will be strongly encouraged to do an internship sometime during their junior or senior years. Finally, the capstone Convergent Media Seminar will bring seniors together to consider the larger, theoretical issues related to the fast-paced changes in communications today and into the future. Graduates are well positioned to go right into industry, where they will be able to compete in a number of different job markets, or to graduate school for advanced training.(Altoona College)

Communications (COMM_PMAJ)

This major is for students interested in the College of Communications, but are undecided about which major they would like to select. Beginning studies with an "undecided" major allows students to explore the many different majors offered within this college and learn more about the specific disciplines that are available to them.

Communications (COMCA_BHUM)

Communications (Start at any Campus and Finish: Harrisburg)

Communications is an interdisciplinary program that combines practical, professional instruction with critical and cultural examinations of mass media. The program’s interdisciplinary and theoretical approach enables students to understand the contextual relationships between contemporary media and ethics, history, drama, and art, as well as the mechanics of emerging information technologies. The program features small classes, a multidisciplinary faculty with real-world professional experience, high-technology laboratories, and an excellent location for media internships. This major helps students prepare for careers in areas such as public relations, journalism, graphic design, photography, new media, advertising, media production, and telecommunications. Because of the analytical approach, students can use the major to prepare for postgraduate studies.(Capital College)

Corporate Communication (CCUC_BA)

The Corporate Communication B.A. program helps students prepare for public information and media relations positions in profit and nonprofit organizations. The program is distinguished by its cross-disciplinary course work in business, information systems, human behavior, and oral, written, and visual communication. In addition, there is a required field experience. The program provides a broad foundation in business principles, including team projects and problem solving; ethics; oral, written and visual communication skills; and psychology. The major is designed to prepare students for a variety of career fields, including human resources, public relations, training and development, and public information.(University College)

Corporate Communication (CCBA_BA)

Corporate Communication (Start at any Campus and Finish: Abington)

Building on the interdisciplinary strengths of Penn State Abington, the Corporate Communication B.A. program helps students prepare for public information and media relations positions in profit and nonprofit organizations. The program is distinguished by its cross-disciplinary course work in business, information systems, human behavior, and oral, written, and visual communication. In addition, there is a required field experience. The program provides a broad foundation in business principles, including team projects and problem solving; ethics; oral, written and visual communication skills; and psychology. The major is designed to prepare students for a variety of career fields, including human resources, public relations, training and development, and public information.(Abington College)

Creative Writing (CWRIT_BFA)

Writing, Creative (Start at any Campus and Finish: Behrend)

This major allows students to develop their writing skills through craft classes, literature classes, and writing workshops, in preparation for a variety of postgraduation options, from continuing on to M.F.A. degree programs to various positions in the publishing or editing fields. The program recognizes students must understand the relationship between tradition and individual talent, and provides a required sequence of literature courses designed to give students an overview of the historical literary traditions as well as the traditions of both modern and contemporary prose and poetry, options for additional literature courses (to broaden and/or deepen the nature of that relationship), and a course in creative writing theory. The program culminates in a capstone experience, the senior thesis, a collection of poetry or prose of publishable quality, with a critical preface to the collection demonstrating the students’ ability to discuss the nature of their own writing and to place it in a literary context.(The Behrend College)

Digital Journalism and Media (DGJRM_BA)

Digital Journalism and Media (Start and Finish: World Campus)The Digital Journalism and Media degree, to be offered via the World Campus, will prepare students for the fast-changing field of digital journalism and other web-based communications careers, including multimedia storytelling, digital production and digital media management. This new major, as structured, requires courses on writing, law, ethics and multimedia skills in its core. There are three suggested pathways of courses which can allow students to develop expertise in certain subject areas within mass communications: Digital Journalism, Visual Media and Media Management. They will understand the industries that operate in today's societies and be prepared for jobs as writers, content producers, leaders and policy makers.(College of Communications)

Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT_BA)

Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (Start at Any Campus and Finish: Behrend)Digital technology has transformed the way we live, interact, learn, and work. The interdisciplinary Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT) major is designed for students who are curious about and want to explore the growing significance of technology in the modern world. DIGIT combines historical and theoretical course work with intensive practical training in the creation and use of digital media tools and computational systems. Foundational DIGIT courses familiarize students with the key concepts, methods, history, theories and practices of Digital Liberal Arts while a range of competency courses introduce them to industry-standard software applications alongside cutting edge tools that continue to emerge from the open source community. Combining the broad perspective of liberal arts training with in-demand technical skills, DIGIT incorporates either a capstone project or a digital media internship, in order to provide students with a successful transition from college to an increasingly technological job market.(The Behrend College)

Film and Video (FILM_BA)

Film-Video (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

The Film-Video major is designed to serve students whose primary interest is the art of film and video. It offers an integrated curriculum in which historical, critical, and theoretical studies parallel the teaching of production and aesthetics. The major serves students who wish to pursue careers in film, television, or related industries, as well as students planning to continue work in film and video at the graduate level.(College of Communications)

Journalism (JOURN_BA)

Journalism (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

The primary goal of this major is to educate students for careers as reporters, editors, producers, and photographers with newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online and in the publications and public information departments of government and industry. Courses in the major are about evenly divided between those emphasizing professional skills and procedures used by journalists and those emphasizing an understanding of journalism and mass communications as they relate to society. Course sequences include print, broadcast, and journalism. Journalism students must choose a minor from outside the College of Communications.(College of Communications)

Media Studies (MEDIA_BA)

Media Studies (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

This major is designed for students who want to pursue an academic rather than professional program of media studies. Students are exposed first to the breadth of approaches to understanding the mass media (e.g., aesthetic, humanistic, social–behavioral, legal policy) and then, by selecting one of five options, go into depth in a specialized area of media studies. All options within the major are closely intertwined with the
liberal arts and sciences. Therefore, students who successfully complete this major must have a strong foundation in the liberal arts and well-developed language and analytical skills.(College of Communications)

Organizational and Professional Communication B.A. (ORPCM_BA)

Organizational and Professional Communication (Start and Finish: World Campus) A Bachelor of Arts in Organizational and Professional Communication provides increased understanding and practice in how people communicate to influence others and shape the world around them. Modern society requires effective communication in professional, personal, social, and multicultural settings. The flexibility of the program offers preparation for a variety of careers, such as law, business, communication, health, administration, social services, and human relations. The bachelor of arts program will facilitate students' learning of effective oral and written communication, specifically helping students to understand and generate professional texts in a variety of genres. Upon completion of the Organizational and Professional Communication program, students will be able to:

Describe the significance of communication in everyday experience and as a distinctive intellectual paradigm;

Apply, critique, and extend communication concepts, principles, theories, and perspectives to a variety of organizational contexts;

Plan communication inquiry, including humanistic or social scientific approaches;

Apply qualitative research methods to organizational and professional contexts;

Demonstrate logical, critical, creative, and ethical thinking about communication for decision-making and problem-solving;

Generate and perform messages appropriate to their audience, purpose, and context;

Locate, synthesize, and assimilate new information from a variety of sources and use it to inform communication analysis and practice within organizations;

Engage diverse communities, both local and global, and function as a member of a deliberative society;

Write professional texts in a variety of genres using appropriate conventions;

Reflect on professional experience and situate that experience within college-level learning.

Organizational and Professional Communication B.S. (ORPCM_BS)

Organizational and Professional Communication (Start and Finish: World Campus) A Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication provides increased understanding and practice in how people communicate to influence others and shape the world around them. Modern society requires effective communication in professional, personal, social, and multicultural settings. The flexibility of the program offers preparation for a variety of careers, such as law, business, communication, health, administration, social services, and human relations. The Bachelor of Science degree will allow exploration of the group communication context and the principles of leadership. Upon completion of the Organizational and Professional Communication program, students will be able to:

Describe the significance of communication in everyday experience and as a distinctive intellectual paradigm;

Apply, critique, and extend communication concepts, principles, theories, and perspectives to a variety of organizational contexts;

Plan communication inquiry, including humanistic or social scientific approaches;

Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to organizational and professional contexts;

Demonstrate logical, critical, creative, and ethical thinking about communication for decision-making and problem-solving;

Generate and perform messages appropriate to their audience, purpose, and context;

Locate, synthesize, and assimilate new information from a variety of sources and use it to inform communication analysis and practice within organizations;

Engage diverse communities, both local and global, and function as a member of a deliberative society;

Facilitate groups communication and functions in and out of organizations;

Apply principles of leadership to interpersonal and group situations;

Demonstrate critical and ethical understanding of conflict in interpersonal, group, and organizational settings;

Reflect on professional experience and situate that experience within college-level learning.

Professional Writing (PWRIT_BA)

Writing, Professional (Start at any Campus and Finish: Berks)

This major is intended to help students prepare to write effectively in a variety of workplace and academic settings. Methods of instruction draw upon the strategies and techniques of practicing writers outside of the University, including workshops, peer conferencing, collaborative writing, portfolio preparation, and internships. At the same time, theory courses provide the necessary background to help students understand and appreciate the larger issues surrounding the writing and reading of texts. As a liberal arts degree program, the Professional Writing major is appropriate for students who wish to develop a set of applied communication skills to prepare for a wide range of professional positions or for graduate or professional schools.(Berks College)

Telecommunications (TELCM_BA)

Telecommunications (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

The telecommunications program seeks to prepare informed, responsible professionals for leadership roles in the electronic information industries. The program stresses the societal, cultural, and economic impact of electronic media. This major is designed for students interested in all electronic media, including the broadcasting, cable, satellite, Internet, and telephone industries. The Telecommunications curriculum explores the structure and operation of these industries as well as the laws and policies that regulate their use. Graduates go on to careers at local radio and television stations; broadcast, cable, and satellite networks; Internet service providers; wired and wireless telephone companies; and other related industries.(College of Communications)